A Micheal Bay Production I actually like since "The Rock"?

Rating: 7/10 (22 May 2009)

The Island might not be most original or authentic sci-fi production so far. Orci and Kurzmann ( I saw them as very bad scriptwriters ) ripped a lot from Clonus Horror. Besides as usual in every Bay movie there is over extensive use of car chases , gun fire and explosions and he filled rest of the movie with them again but first time ever this didn't disturb me much in a Bay movie. Unlike horrible Pearl Harbour or awful Tranmsformers ( worst big budget film I have ever seen in my life after Independece Day ) The Island does not deny what it is : An entertaining summer popcorn flick. Hyper fast chases , fights or explosions are accepted as part of this package deal and here Dreamworks Productions seem to limit Bay's over extensive use of special effects to some degree. A few interesting questions about cloning , its ethics and where it might lead if it was commercialized were aroused but these themes are not followed as far as it could be. There is also lots of commercial brand advertisement but it also gives the audience a more real feeling of close future.
The quality of production especially camera-work and sets of futuristic clone production/containment facility is beautiful. The contrast of newly born and naive clones white garment to black uniforms of clone facility staff are well contrasted. A few moments of look at daily life to clone facility actually gives the feeling of militaristic/medical society ( that scene is at the beginning of the movie )
As for acting : It is not bad I suppose. Ewan McGregor is doing his best. His innocent behavior before "rebirth" of his character and sponsor of his character were well written and displayed. Scarlett Johannson is very easy to look into but he takes a backseat next to McGregor I think. Steve Buscemi is wise comic relief , Djiman Houmatsu is professional mercenary who is tasked to hunt Ewan and Scarlett. And British actor Sean Bean is the villain as the doctor in the charge of clone facility which suits him well.
To summarize The Island gave me the feeling of grand 80'ies or 90'ies sci-fi movies feeling (like Total Recall or Robocop ) even just for a moment. My suggestion give it a try if you like decent sci-fi and video clip like fast action